Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-05
CALIFORNIA HOME RULE.


One week from to-day the people will
be called upon to vote upon three pro-
posed amendments to the Constitution
Two of these amendments have been de-
bated at length in these columns.
Amendment "number three" provides
that any city of over 100000 population
may, through the agency of Board of
freeholders elected by the people, frame
charter for its government, which, if APP
proved by the Legislature, shall be the
organic law of such municipality. Amend
ments to such a charter can be made by
the people at intervals of not less than two
years, on three-ffths vote, and on APP
proval by the Legislature. Cities of over
10000 population and under 100000 may
make and amend charters in precisely like
manner.
The amendment should be adopted, for
it is in the direction of municipal reform.
1t is species of nome rule, bringing gov
eminent nearer to the people. The closer
such approach, the better, safer and purer
the rule of the people by the people. 1t
may be set down as an axiom that most of
the evils in city charters, and flowing from
them, are chargeable to legislative inter
ference. Why should not the people of
cities govern themselves by regulations of
their own adoption, not inconsistent with
the Constitution and the general laws
We have yet to hear a single substantial
reason advanced in the negative; and, in
fact, there are no good reasons to be found
against the proposition about to be voted
upon. 1t is simply wise scheme for tax
ing the legislative grip from the throat of
municipal corporations. He is indeed an
ignorant man who does not know that
under the present system there is no
city in the State that is not placed
at the mercy of legislative within, and the
caprice and vicousness of the lobby. The
man who owns property in city has no
security whatever against legislative tink-
ering with municipal regulations that may
reduce the value of his property, or render
its possession undesirable
Treating of the subject of municipal
disagreement, Mr. Amos X. Fiske in a
recent paper in the Forum well said that
the assumption of control by the State
over municipal matters complicates in
stead Of removing the evils of city mis-
government. Referring to the history Of
legislative interference in New York he
said; "City politicians, intent upon re-
tanning or increasing their power to con.
troll and distribute for their own advantage
the patronage of municipal government
made alliances with county politicians tC
secure their ends by an interchange o
fayors. This was made comparativel,
easy by the ignorance of rural legislator
Of the real needs and conditions of tn,
administration of affairs in great cities
their lack of a sense of direct responsibility,
in the matter, and their readiness to b,
persuaded that city populations were in
capable of self-government, and would b,
benefited by the supervision of Stat,
authority. They were ready to give tn,
benefit Of their wisdom and disinterested
ness-fcr consideration. For years tn,
plumber of the city of New York has beer
shared between its own politicians ant
those of the State
The essential element in good mum
cipal government is the power of tn,
citizens to legislate for themselves. Thi
is precisely what amendment humble.
three proposes they may do in California
Such supervision as is provided for on tn,
part of the Legislature is simply that o
ratification or condemnation Of the charte
the people may adopt, the amendmen
specifically providing that the Legislator,
shall not amend, reform or modify in am
way any of the provisions of the charte
submitted. The amendment really take
cities from their knees at the bar of tn,
Legislature, and gives them power to pro
vide for streets, walks, parks, police, sani
tation, public improvements, and all tn
minor details of local administration
without being compelled TO appeal to tn
Legislature for special Acts Above all
it puts it without the power of any schem
ing class to procure legislation that viii
promote private ambition or politica
knavery in any matter relating to mum
cipal government.